Indian Muslims donate land for world’s largest Hindu temple

Muslims in the Indian city of Bihar displayed magnanimity of proportions when they donated land which will be used to build a Hindu temple.

And that too, the world’s largest Hindu temple which will have the capacity to house an impressive 200,000 worshipers! “Muslims have not only donated land, they have also provided land at a nominal rate for construction of the world’s largest Hindu temple. Without help of Muslims, it would have been difficult realize this dream project,” Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of the Patna-based cash-rich Mahavir Mandir Trust that is undertaking the ambitious project, told IANS.

Kunal also stated that it was a very unusual and strangely welcome news that Muslims had donated land for the construction of a Hindu temple. “It is usual for Hindus to donate land for temple, but it is unusual for Muslims to donate land for the construction of temple,” he said.

The construction of the temple will cost an estimated Rs.500 crore and building will commence from June. The temple will be built at Janki Nagar near Kesaria in East Champaran district. The temple will be 2,500 feet long, 1,296 feet wide and 379 feet high. Hindus and Muslims donated around 50 acres of land for the Hindu temple.

The news is a much needed harmonious gesture from the second largest community in India. Muslims and Hindus have lived in India side by side but in a tense and often violent atmosphere. The Babri Masjid massacre and Gujranwala riots, where thousands of Muslims were massacred is still remembered by Indians. The move will also pacify the image of Muslims as radicals and extremists, globally. Terrorist outfits such as TTP, IS and Al-Qaeda are Islamist militants which have butchered countless non-Muslims over the years. Hopefully this news will project Islam and Muslims in a positive light on the international stage.